Free Web NovelChapter 69: Unwelcomed Shadows
Soft light filtered through the cracks in the worn wooden walls, stretching across the floor in pale strips. The candle had died sometime in the night, leaving only faint warmth behind.
Ru Yi stirred first.
Careful not to wake others, she slipped out, wincing slightly as her shoulder protested. The bruise at her back was healed, but now the pain of sleeping on the hard floor took over. At least it was nothing she couldn’t endure.
Outside the room Qingyue was already awake.
Of course she was.
Qingyue sat near the window, eyes half-lidded but alert, as if she’d never truly slept. She turned when she heard the sound of footsteps.
Their gazes met briefly but none of them said a word. Ru Yi being the first one to look away. She couldn’t seem to figure out what Qingyue’s problem was.
By the time the others woke up, the sun had fully risen. Madam Xiao was busy outside while Ru Yi idled around, looking for how to tidy up the house. The little boy lingered around her.
Lieyin stepped out from the room first, shortly followed by a yawning Yexue.
Lieyin stretched with a groan. "My entire body hurts. I hate this place." She turned to Yexue. "Do you think it’s too late to go back and beg that old witch to let us back in. We can even take the servant’s quarters. I’m sure the maids slept better than I did last night."
Yexue hit the back of her head. "You ungrateful idiot. We should’ve let you sleep outside."
Lieyin grimaced and looked at Qingyue. "Were you able to sleep at all?"
The bags under Qingyue’s eyes were enough to answer. She wasn’t even able to close her eyes. "That’s not what is important right now. We’re going to speak to the village head."
"Do you think he’ll listen to us?" Lieyin asked. "I mean, technically we’re strangers."
"This would’ve been easier if we still had our title," Yexue muttered. "How could Han Shuying neglect her duty? Protecting the people should always come first."
"Complaining about it will get us nowhere," Qingyue replied. "We need information. If we don’t deal with the bandits now, we might encounter them along the way."
Lieyin nodded. "I’ll go with you. Yexue, stay with the maid and the boy."
Yexue looked at Ru Yi. "Sure."
Madam Xiao was waiting outside by the time they were ready. Her expression was tense, though she tried to hide it.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked them as they approached.
Qingyue didn’t slow down. "Yes. The safety of people should always come first. If anything I feel apologetic for not knowing about this sooner." frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
"You speak like it’s your job," Madam Xiao said.
"It is—" Qingyue cleared her throat. "It used to be."
"You worked as a guard?" Madam Xiao asked.
Lieyin burst into laughter at that. "We were indeed working as guards."
Madam Xiao had more questions but she kept it to herself. She led them through the village in silence.
People watched as they passed. Of course they did. It wasn’t often that they saw a new face in their cursed village. Whispers followed, most of them cautious and uncertain.
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The village head’s house stood slightly apart from others—larger, sturdier, though still humble compared to anything within the capital.
Madam Xiao knocked.
There was a brief pause before the door opened.
The man who stood there was older, his face lined with years and worry. His eyes moved quickly, accessing the strangers that had turned up at his door.
"Madam Xiao," he started. "Are they traders?"
Madam Xiao shook her head. "They were merely passing by. But they want to help with the bandits."
He turned his face up in a condescending manner. "What can a bunch of women possibly do for us?" Yet, he stepped aside. "Come in."
The room he led them into was simple. A table, a few chairs, maps crudely drawn and pinned to the wall.
Qingyue noticed that immediately.
"You said you wanted to discuss the bandits," the village head said, closing the door behind them.
Lieyin leaned against the wall. "We’re going to help you deal with them."
"Before that," Qingyue said calmly, "we need to understand what we’re dealing with. I heard they’re not just stealing livestock, but children too."
"Understand?" he repeated.
Something in his tone had changed. It was subtle but wrong.
"You speak like someone of great importance when you’re mere travelers. What can you women possibly do that the men haven’t done?"
Lieyin’s annoyance was as clear as day. "Have you considered the fact your men might just be incompetent?"
Uncomfortable silence stretched between them, until recognition flickered in the man’s eyes.
"I’ve seen your faces before," he said. "Posters! Along the main road, it was a notice from the capital."
Madam Xiao’s breath caught softly.
The room grew colder, Lieyin’s hand moving subtly to her sword. Qingyue remained calm, her eyes glued on the man.
"The Emperor’s daughters!" The man took a step back in caution. "The famous wolves of the Eastern palace," he said in disbelief.
"Well..." Qingyue made herself comfortable on the seat she had taken. "That saves us the trouble of explaining."
"You were exiled..."
"Very much so. But I’d like to remind you that it is of no importance right now. We need to act fast before the village is attacked again."
The old man’s face hardened. "You should leave."
Madam Xiao, who had been momentarily stunned, finally recovered. "They helped me yesterday when the—"
"They will only bring trouble tomorrow." He gave Madam Xiao a hard look. "Housing them is as good as treason. I will warn you to stop associating with them. The penalty is execution, you’re as good as dead."
His gaze moved between the sisters. "We have enough problems," his voice was firmer now. "Bandits. The missing children and hunger. We cannot afford to invite the Emperor’s attention."
Qingyue met his eyes evenly. "We are already here."
"Then leave." His words were immediate, unyielding.
Yexue tilted her head slightly. "You’ll rather face the bandits alone?"
"I would rather face a danger I understand," he replied, "than one I don’t."
Lieyin pushed off the wall, ignoring the warning gaze Qingyue slipped her way. "You think we’re the problem?"
"I think," the village head said carefully, "that wherever the wolves go, blood follows. Right now you’ve been deemed enemies of the kingdom. Associating with you is a direct questioning of His Majesty’s authority."
"This is exactly why the village is like this!" Lieyin spat. "They have a coward for a leader."
Qingyue stood up immediately. "We’ll give you some time to think about it. For what it’s worth, we’re not here for trouble."
The village head wanted to believe it, but he’d heard stories of the princesses. How they destroyed everything that stood in their way.
So he gave them a nod and watched them leave quietly from the doorway.
And for the first time he wasn’t just afraid of the bandits. He was afraid of what he’d just let into his village.
